Chapter 8

Staring lifelessly out of the limo window, Kyan watched San Antonio fly by him. He was still trying to come down from the medicinal and alcoholic high. He had woken up thirty minutes before they landed by way of the flight attendant. His head was nestled on a pillow and comfortably propped up on Thom's shoulder. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes were Thom's hands- those soft, smooth, perfect hands, and for a brief second he had forgotten they were mortal enemies.

Carson was more than happy to fill him in on the details of the flight: the shouting match he had had with Andrew, the amount of drool that Jai had produced, and that it was Thom who got the pillow for Kyan and rested him against his body. Kyan smiled weakly as they were rushed through the airport while Carson carried on. The only thing he was remotely interested in was sleeping off whatever stupor he was in.

"Mild my ass."

Being bombard with fans was not something he was capable of handling at the moment and was glad when they were hustled right into the limo. A group of people had the unlucky task to stay behind and collect everyone's belongings. For the first time since the beginning of the trip, which granted only started five hours ago, the five of them plus Barry were alone- no assistants, no directors, no Andrew, who was put into a car following them. An eerie silence seemed to permeate around them. They had danced around the issue all morning and now when no one was listening they didn't say a word.

Kyan looked at Thom, who was sitting across from him at the opposite side of the car. He studied his features. "He looks tired." He didn't care if Thom saw him looking. He just wanted to relish in the fact that for a split second, back on the airplane, he was his. Kyan's eyes finally caught Thom's. They stared at each other. It was the longest they had held eye contact since Thom came inside him.

Kyan's head was too lightheaded and clouded to think clearly. He had to look away before he started to lose it, and this time he didn't have the plane as his scapegoat. That's when he turned to the window, wishing he could erase the feeling of Thom's body next to his. He seriously thought he was going to go insane.

"Thom, talk to him," Jai hissed.

"Oh, real subtle," Carson said.

"Well, I thought someone should say something. We are sitting ducks!"

"That doesn't mean we go butting into their business," said Ted.

"Oh, like hell we don't," Jai shot back. "They are being babies."

"You mean Thom is being a baby," Carson said.

"Excuse me!"

"Well, he is! Kyan's been trying to talk to him. He's called him. He hasn't called back. He's the one that's making this the way it is."

"You are delusional," Ted said. "Kyan doesn't owe Thom anything. Thom doesn't owe him anything."

"Oh my god, how can you say that!" Carson groaned. "He's being a stubborn child." He gestured to Thom. "I think he likes being miserable! Because if he really wanted to be happy he would meet Kyan halfway on this and fix it."

"Why should he do that?" Jai asked. "Kyan left him there."

"You don't know what Kyan has been through," Carson seethed. "You have no idea what he's feeling. He's not some cold hearted bastard."

"I never said he was," Jai defended. "I love Kyan with all my heart, but Thom is also my friend, and you weren't on the phone with him as he was crying his eyes out because of what Kyan did!"

"And you think Kyan was sitting at home doing back handsprings because of what happened?" asked Ted. "I talked to him on Christmas Eve. He was devastated."

"Well, that's his fault!" Jai yelled. "He deliberately hurt himself and Thom."

"If you just shut up and let Kyan explain…" Carson said.

"Why don't all three of you shut up!" Barry roared. "This whole thing is between Kyan and Thom, and ironically they haven't said one word since we got into this car! And now the three of you are fighting over the fight the two of them are fighting! You guys are driving me fucking crazy."

The three guys ducked their head, almost in shame, and glanced at each other quickly.

"Sorry," Ted mumbled.

"Me, too," Jai said. "Sorry."

Carson sighed. "I'm sorry, too." He shifted his eyes to Kyan. "Sorry, K, Thom."

"Yeah," Ted agreed, leaning forward to look at Thom. "Our good intentions kind of turned sour."

"We just want you guys to be happy," said Jai, quietly.

"Because we can see how great you guys will be- are together," Carson added.

They waited for some reaction.

"Aren't you guys going to say anything at all?" Jai asked.

When they still didn't, Carson stepped in, boldly. "Jason used to hit Kyan," he told them.

"Oh, Carson," Kyan moaned, painfully.

"Are you serious?" Ted asked, turning to the man sitting across from him.

"You mean… wait… Jason is your ex, right?" asked Jai.

"Yes, his ex, you moron," Carson snapped, lightly.

"Kyan, are you okay?" asked Ted, placing his hand on Kyan's knee.

"It was a long time ago," Kyan said.

"Three years," Carson corrected.

"Carson, please," Kyan whispered.

"Sorry, sorry," he said. "I just thought they needed to know."

Kyan looked at Ted. "Physically, I'm fine," he said. "But emotionally, it did... it messed me up." He swallowed. "I'm working on it though. It's like two steps forward, one step back."

"I'm sorry that it happened to you," Ted said, sincerely. "If you ever need someone to lean on…"

He smiled. "Thanks, Ted."

"I… I really don't know what to say," Jai admitted.

Kyan chuckled. "Don't worry about it."

"You know I love you though."

Kyan nodded. "Me, too."

"Ah," Carson crooned. "It's an Oprah moment."

"Oh, Christ," Barry groaned. "I can't believe I have to put up with him for the next two days."

"Two days! Try two weeks," Jai complained.

"Hey, Jackass," Carson said, smacking his knee.

"And I can't believe you and I aren't spending New Year's together," Ted whined to his partner.

"Oh, honey, I think you'll live," Barry teased, then kissing him quickly.

"Oh my god!" Carson squealed. "Do we have to see this?"

"You are just jealous," Ted said.

"Me? Jealous?"

"Yeah, because you don't have anyone to kiss."

"Of course I do," Carson said. "I have Kyan."

Before Kyan even had a chance to comprehend what was going on, Carson had jumped on him.

"Don't you dare," Kyan screamed in laughter as Carson's lips came full force at his. "Oh my god!"

"Come on. You know you like it," Carson said.

"Car, get off me," Kyan said, struggling.

Jai and Ted were cracking up at Kyan's high-pitched screams.

"You sound like a damn woman," Barry chuckled.

Carson gave up, slumping back in defeat. "He never lets me kiss him. I don't know why. I’m not that hideous, am I?"

"Don't torture yourself like this," Jai said, tapping Carson's leg with his fingers.

"I mean, what do I need to do, Kyan?" Carson asked, teasingly.

"Ugh, I feel violated," Kyan grunted, straightening out his clothes.

"Something you should be used to."

"Oh, you bastard." Kyan lunged toward his friend.

"See!" Carson called over to Ted as Kyan grabbed him. "He can't keep his hands off me!"

"This is disgusting," Jai observed. "Whatever appetite I had is now gone."

"You are wrinkling the couture!" Carson whined.

"You were the one that attacked me first."

"Oh my god, I think you are touching my ass."

"That's your own hand, sweetheart."

"Hmm, I thought it felt familiar."

"Oh, come on, you guys!" Jai said, shuddering. "Kyan, get off of him. I'm going to have nightmares tonight."

"Yes, sweetie," Carson agreed. "You are wrinkling the couture. And we can finish this at the hotel."

"Oh, be still my beating heart," Kyan said, laughing.

"I'm starving," Ted announced.

"Well, we are in Texas, now," Carson said. "Hope you are in the mood for some spicy Tex-Mex cuisine." He wrapped his arm around Kyan's shoulders, pulling him closer.

"Cripes, I won't be able to eat a thing the whole time I'm here," Jai lamented. "Just thinking about the food here makes my stomach churn."

"God, you guys, act like we are in the middle of Siberia or something," Thom chirped. His eyes wandered over Carson and Kyan, who looked thoroughly cozy.

"Jesus, Thom, we thought you were dead!" Carson squealed.

"Yeah, I bet."

"Okay, I have ear drums!" Kyan growled, smacking Carson's chest.

"Oh, sorry," Carson said, then kissing Kyan's forehead. "Come closer, my sweet."

"Are you hard up or what?" Ted asked, watching the two of them practically cuddle on the seat.

"Now who is the one jealous," Carson stated.

Kyan managed to glance at Thom out of the corner of his eye and grumbled under his breath. Thom wasn't even paying attention.

"Oh, thank god!" Jai said, happily as the limo turned into the hotel parking lot. "Get me the hell out of this car."

"I think Kyan and I are going to share a room," Carson said.

That immediately got Thom out of his trance. He snapped his eyes over the two of them.

"Okay, too far," Kyan mumbled, pushing himself up.

Carson pouted.

"Look, Kyan!" Ted said, excited. "They have a 24-hour Spa!"

"Oh, he's in his element," Jai sighed. "At least someone is. I already feel like a fish out of water."

"Car, we have to go," Kyan coaxed, grabbing his friend's hand as the limo door opened.

"You know I don't get off on all that stuff like you do," Carson complained.

"Please, please, please." They slid out of the car together. "I'll do anything you want."

Carson stopped in his tracks. "Anything?"

"Anything," Kyan repeated.

"Welcome to La Mansion Del Rio," said the perky hotel manager.

Thom shifted his weight from feet to feet impatiently as she began to hand out their room keys. He wanted to get upstairs as soon as possible.

"We will get your bags to you as soon as they arrive," she promised, after explaining the amenities.

"Thank you," said Kyan, before dragging Carson over to the spa to set up an appointment. "We'll see you guys later," he called out to their friends.

"Are you two on the eighteenth floor?" Ted asked.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Okay, cool."

Kyan stopped for a brief second to watch Thom round the corner to the elevators. As much as he loved Carson, he would've given anything to spend a day at the spa with him instead.

"Thank god we are alone," Carson huffed, when they all disappeared from the lobby.

"I should fucking kill you," Kyan grunted.

"What for?"

"For telling everyone about Jason!"

"You're not mad about that, are you?"

"Well, no, but I was planning on telling Thom about that in private, not to have it broadcast loud and clear."

"I'm sorry!" Carson said. "But he wasn't listening to you. I had to say something to make him understand."

"You make my life difficult," Kyan sighed, shoving him into the spa's lobby.

"Oh, you love it." He sat back and let Kyan deal with the receptionist.

In seconds, they had an appointment set up for the end of the week. It would be a chance for them to unwind before heading off to the city, to their next victim.

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